The St. Gabriel Hand-In-Hand Scholarship: Established 2014
What began as a little question “Could a Scholarship help these families’ youth stay in school?” turned into a three-year endeavor and ultimately, an answer of “Yes.”
This past July 8-15, 2014, a small delegation from our parish traveled to Balaclava, Jamaica to visit with the members of our sister-parish, St. Gabriel, and to establish this long-discussed scholarship program, now named St. Gabriel Hand-In-Hand Scholarship. The delegation included Josh Dickey (on his 6th trip to our sister parish and co-leader of the scholarship program development), Staci Streich (St. Gabriel-KC Parish Council secretary and first-timer to Balaclava) and Kent & Sandra Scheuler (Kent’s first time and Sandra’s 3rd time to Balaclava).
During our visit, we understood from Fr. Joe Sharbel, that our mission was to gain the cooperation of the laity in St. Gabriel Balaclava in order to support the management of the scholarship program. Having lay people involved will position the scholarship program to continue even when pastors are reassigned. Additionally, with the current workload/ responsibilities that Fr. Paul Mushi (current pastor) has, it would be integral for others to assist.
While meeting with the Church Council after Sunday’s liturgy, we could see that the adults of the community were definitely excited and willing to take on the responsibilities for the scholarship program. The Finances of the scholarship will be handled between Kenneth Lay and Faith Simpson, while the oversight of service requirements will be managed by Ms. Shakespeare and the sisters of Missionaries of Charity. Overall, Miss Margaret Laing, a teacher in the area and a church council member, will be in-charge of communicating with us in Kansas City, when needed, and in coordinating the communications in Balaclava between the scholarship recipients, their families and the schools (for grade reports).
Also during the week, the 4 of us, along with Miss Margaret Laing, met with 4 out of the 5 scholarship recipients. We explained to them that they are pioneers for this program and we hope that the program’s implementation will be successful, will follow them for several years and, perhaps even grow to include more students. As pioneers, they have a great responsibility to continue in school with good attendance, exemplary behavior and strong academic performance. Additionally, the service requirements (4 hours per month) are to be met under the supervision of the sisters at the Missionaries of Charity Home. Next, we enjoyed our time getting to know the scholarship recipients while we interviewed them each individually for a few minutes. The list of questions helped to understand the cultural differences and the obstacles faced in continuing their education. (See other side for Introduction of scholars.)
Because of the scholarship program, I believe that our relationship with the members of St. Gabriel Church in Balaclava has been taken to another level. This new level involves an on-going commitment to communicate between visits and to support the youth of the parish continue in education. A side-effect is that not only are the youth being drawn into performing service, but also the laity too (in managing the scholarship program requirements).
The successful establishment of the scholarship was only made possible because of the generous financial support of parishioners here in Kansas City. During the appeal last January, those of you who responded contributed donations and pledges totaling over $14,000 (over the 2 years)! This generosity exceeded our goals and, consequently, positions this program to continue support for several years. Know that it is Fr. Joe Sharbel’s, Fr. Mushi’s and the parish councils’ goal to be good stewards of your money and see to its prudent use towards the stated goals. Thank you for your sacrifice and your trust.
With God’s continue blessing and guidance, hopefully this new program will enrich both St. Gabriel communities: Balaclava and Kansas City!
A history of the St. Gabriel Hand-in-Hand Scholarship:
2011:
July- dinner with Church Council in Balaclava, revealed the primary concern of affordability for youth to remain in school
August – dinner gathering with 2011 & past missionaries asks and answers the question of “Should we try to establish a scholarship to help the youth of Balaclava?”
October – Meeting with CFCA (now Unbound) discusses the options available to initiate or follow the CFCA Scholarship programs which include financial assistance and a service component.
2012:
Revisions of CFCA Scholarship documents, meetings, discussions, more revisions
April- Meet with Fr. Mushi and Fr. Sharbel during Fr. Mushi’s visit to Kansas City to discuss scholarship
August- mailed draft version of Hand-In-Hand Scholarship Program manual to Fr. Mushi and Miss Margaret Laing
2013:
April- Meet with St. Gabriel KC Finance Committee to present scholarship idea, history, development of Scholarship Program Manual and to request approval on asking for parishioner donations.
May- meet with St. Gabriel KC Parish Council to to present scholarship idea, history, development of Scholarship Program Manual and to request approval on asking for parishioner donations.
July- meet with St. Gabriel Balaclava parents and church members about the developing Scholarship program and requirements. Meet with Bishop Neil, diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica to discuss scholarship program
Sep- plan the fundraising activities for St. Gabriel Hand-In-Hand Scholarship at our KC Parish
Dec- Wine & Cheese Kick-off fundraiser held
2014:
Jan- Parish appeal for donations during masses
July- Establishment of St. Gabriel Hand-In-Hand Scholarship with 5 pioneer scholars: Orlando Anderson, Fiona Brown, Rushane Swaby, Krishanny Pryce, and Sasher-Gaye Miller
What began as a little question “Could a Scholarship help these families’ youth stay in school?” turned into a three-year endeavor and ultimately, an answer of “Yes.”
This past July 8-15, 2014, a small delegation from our parish traveled to Balaclava, Jamaica to visit with the members of our sister-parish, St. Gabriel, and to establish this long-discussed scholarship program, now named St. Gabriel Hand-In-Hand Scholarship. The delegation included Josh Dickey (on his 6th trip to our sister parish and co-leader of the scholarship program development), Staci Streich (St. Gabriel-KC Parish Council secretary and first-timer to Balaclava) and Kent & Sandra Scheuler (Kent’s first time and Sandra’s 3rd time to Balaclava).
During our visit, we understood from Fr. Joe Sharbel, that our mission was to gain the cooperation of the laity in St. Gabriel Balaclava in order to support the management of the scholarship program. Having lay people involved will position the scholarship program to continue even when pastors are reassigned. Additionally, with the current workload/ responsibilities that Fr. Paul Mushi (current pastor) has, it would be integral for others to assist.
While meeting with the Church Council after Sunday’s liturgy, we could see that the adults of the community were definitely excited and willing to take on the responsibilities for the scholarship program. The Finances of the scholarship will be handled between Kenneth Lay and Faith Simpson, while the oversight of service requirements will be managed by Ms. Shakespeare and the sisters of Missionaries of Charity. Overall, Miss Margaret Laing, a teacher in the area and a church council member, will be in-charge of communicating with us in Kansas City, when needed, and in coordinating the communications in Balaclava between the scholarship recipients, their families and the schools (for grade reports).
Also during the week, the 4 of us, along with Miss Margaret Laing, met with 4 out of the 5 scholarship recipients. We explained to them that they are pioneers for this program and we hope that the program’s implementation will be successful, will follow them for several years and, perhaps even grow to include more students. As pioneers, they have a great responsibility to continue in school with good attendance, exemplary behavior and strong academic performance. Additionally, the service requirements (4 hours per month) are to be met under the supervision of the sisters at the Missionaries of Charity Home. Next, we enjoyed our time getting to know the scholarship recipients while we interviewed them each individually for a few minutes. The list of questions helped to understand the cultural differences and the obstacles faced in continuing their education. (See other side for Introduction of scholars.)
Because of the scholarship program, I believe that our relationship with the members of St. Gabriel Church in Balaclava has been taken to another level. This new level involves an on-going commitment to communicate between visits and to support the youth of the parish continue in education. A side-effect is that not only are the youth being drawn into performing service, but also the laity too (in managing the scholarship program requirements).
The successful establishment of the scholarship was only made possible because of the generous financial support of parishioners here in Kansas City. During the appeal last January, those of you who responded contributed donations and pledges totaling over $14,000 (over the 2 years)! This generosity exceeded our goals and, consequently, positions this program to continue support for several years. Know that it is Fr. Joe Sharbel’s, Fr. Mushi’s and the parish councils’ goal to be good stewards of your money and see to its prudent use towards the stated goals. Thank you for your sacrifice and your trust.
With God’s continue blessing and guidance, hopefully this new program will enrich both St. Gabriel communities: Balaclava and Kansas City!
A history of the St. Gabriel Hand-in-Hand Scholarship:
2011:
July- dinner with Church Council in Balaclava, revealed the primary concern of affordability for youth to remain in school
August – dinner gathering with 2011 & past missionaries asks and answers the question of “Should we try to establish a scholarship to help the youth of Balaclava?”
October – Meeting with CFCA (now Unbound) discusses the options available to initiate or follow the CFCA Scholarship programs which include financial assistance and a service component.
2012:
Revisions of CFCA Scholarship documents, meetings, discussions, more revisions
April- Meet with Fr. Mushi and Fr. Sharbel during Fr. Mushi’s visit to Kansas City to discuss scholarship
August- mailed draft version of Hand-In-Hand Scholarship Program manual to Fr. Mushi and Miss Margaret Laing
2013:
April- Meet with St. Gabriel KC Finance Committee to present scholarship idea, history, development of Scholarship Program Manual and to request approval on asking for parishioner donations.
May- meet with St. Gabriel KC Parish Council to to present scholarship idea, history, development of Scholarship Program Manual and to request approval on asking for parishioner donations.
July- meet with St. Gabriel Balaclava parents and church members about the developing Scholarship program and requirements. Meet with Bishop Neil, diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica to discuss scholarship program
Sep- plan the fundraising activities for St. Gabriel Hand-In-Hand Scholarship at our KC Parish
Dec- Wine & Cheese Kick-off fundraiser held
2014:
Jan- Parish appeal for donations during masses
July- Establishment of St. Gabriel Hand-In-Hand Scholarship with 5 pioneer scholars: Orlando Anderson, Fiona Brown, Rushane Swaby, Krishanny Pryce, and Sasher-Gaye Miller